“ because blokes like you, nice and well-meaning through and through you’re the types to attract trouble like bees to honey, really … based on my experience, anyway. ” her shoulders lift in a nonchalant shrug, eyes flitting back to the bandage she’d been smoothing across his skin. ellie affords it with as much care as she would the children she deals with on an almost-daily basis, hands slow and sure, brow furrowing in concentration even as she speaks again. “ besides, it pays to be prepared for the worst, you know ? i’d hate to have to see you walking around the hospital with a limp or something worse, or another. so there. ”
finally satisfied with her work, she steps back from him, rubbing her forehead with a spare hand as the overdue stress washes over her in waves. she’d been calm when presented with his injury, but now that everything was fine, now that she had the freedom to breathe without the concern for his well-being all but stifling her every inhale, her shoulders sag in relief, a fact that she can’t quite hide from him as well as she wanted to. the strain was too much, too soon.
her smile is chastened, the fire in her voice weakened significantly as she looks at him again. there’s the sinking feeling that he’s only telling her what she wants to hear and god, does she want to believe otherwise, but even so … even so. ellie cannot control everything, as much as she could ever want to. he would come to her if he deemed it a good option perhaps even the last one. in the end it is his choice, and his alone. all she could do is hope that he follows through with his acquiescence.
“ too late for that, unfortunately. i’m a worrier, me. don’t mind it too much. ‘s my default setting, if that makes sense. you just focus on not getting banged up again, you hear ? ”
❝ based on your experience ? what, do you do this often ? patch up IDIOTS who end up bleeding on your couch ? ❞ it wouldn’t surprise him, honestly. ELLIE is a natural caregiver -- with a soft voice, softer hands, and quick precision, she makes for a great nurse and good friend to turn to in a time of trouble. she was who LINCOLN sought, after all, bruised and busted up. a HOSPITAL would’ve asked too many questions, on an official record -- that was the last thing he needed. u n f o r t u n a t e l y , it meant dragging her into his m e s s, and she asked for more than he was able to give. he wonders who else found themselves in this exact same spot, in the same predicament.
❝ something worse. ❞ he mutters under his breath, echoing her words. a bitter smile ghosts his lips for a moment. that’s just a life hazard for INHUMANS at this point, isn’t it ? anyone who knows their existence hunts them, a fact proven by history time and time again. they would never be c o m p l e t e l y safe. ❝ i’ll try to see to it that doesn’t happen -- i can’t pull off a limp. ❞ he jokes, turning to smile at ELLIE.
he feels BAD when he watches her visibly deflate, and remembers what it’s like to be on the other side of things. usually, LINCOLN is the one taking care of his injured friends, cleaning up wounds that should rightfully be taken care of in a hospital ; and they don’t usually LIE to him about how they got them. it’s a lot of PRESSURE to put on another person’s shoulders, but he’d willingly take it every time to ensure their safety. on that level, he can relate to ELLIE easily. ( a part of him wishes that he could just TELL HER -- explain how this happened, why despite his efforts against it, it’ll probably happen again -- but knows it’s best for everyone if that door remains closed. )
❝ i’ve caught onto that. ❞ LINCOLN smiles lightly, a soft affection in his voice. he can’t really fault someone for caring too much. ❝ THANKS, DOC. ❞ he stretches his arms, after having to hold still for so long, and stifles a groan of pain that threatens to force it’s way out as a result. he’s probably going to be sore for the next few days.